Kim Loan Guesthouse

Functional and homely

What we say:

If you’re looking to stay on the cheap in Saigon, the Pham Ngu Lao backpackers area has plenty of low-priced hostels. However, if you’re willing to stay a little off the more heavily trodden path, the small alley between the streets of Co Bac and Co Giang offers bargain priced alternatives, such as Kim Loan Guesthouse.

No lounge is ever complete without a motorbike in the middle.

Just opposite California Guesthouse, from the outside Kim Loan may not look like the most inviting of guesthouses, as the front door is protected from the outside world by a metal cage. But inside the lobby/lounge is much more homely, looking less like a lobby and more like someone’s living room.

The lobby does actually double as a common room for guests, which is a good way to meet your fellow guesthouse residents. Relax at the table, where you’re served your complimentary breakfast, or turn on the big flat-screen TV, complete with multiple VCRs and a karaoke machine. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you could also just make small talk with the owners.

No bedroom is ever complete without a rolling desk chair.

One of the bigger guesthouses on the alley, the rooms are accessed from narrow hallways that run along the outside of the building, meaning that the walk from your room to the stairs exposes you to the elements. Rooms are quite spacious, although devoid of much decoration, and come with amenities that you’d expect in more expensive guesthouses, including a fridge, TV and a desk and rolling chair. Rooms have private bathrooms, which are slightly narrow but serviceable.

Hiya. Accidental selfie.

Most rooms are similar, save for one major difference — some are fan-cooled only. If you can brave the sweltering Saigon nights with only a fan to cool you down, your reward is a discount on the price of your room — 200,000 VND a night compared to the 240,000 VND air-con flavour.

Don’t let the gate scare you away.

Like most hotels in the Co Bac/Co Giang alley, Kim Loan’s online presence leaves something to be desired. Without a website or coverage from the major online bookers, the only way to secure a room is by phone or email. Even without the razzle-dazzle of the internet, the low prices and backpacker word of mouth keep Kim Loan consistently booked, so you’ll probably want to plan ahead. If you do show up and no rooms are available, try nearby California Guesthouse or and Ngoc Hue Guesthouse.

Read Kim Loan Guesthouse reviews

Rated 2 out of 5

Based on 1 ratings and 1 reviews

The owner tried to take my head off with a chain

Yeah, the title about says it all. These conmen attempted to retroactively raise the price we had agreed on (and prepaid) when we went to check out after a month. They attempted to hold my motorcycle hostage, and were physically wrestling us for control of the motorcycle in the street, until the old guy attacked me with a heavy chain, and missed taking off my face by about an inch, just before the police showed up and calmed him down.

Other than that, I suppose the location was nice and the room would have been a deal at the original price. They have a cute puppy as well. Their customer service skills leave something to be desired, however, so I'd avoid the place, unless you see grievous bodily harm at the hands of an innkeeper as an essential part of your holiday.

Of course, this review would be worthless without video, so here. http://youtu.be/d0-Or4jdzSQ . Sorry for the quality, my hands were full wrestling these savages for my motorcycle, which they were attempting to drag inside and chain to a post in their garage. I didn't quite get Grandpa swinging the chain at my head, but you can see what charming individuals own the place.

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Kim Loan Guesthouse reviewed by nkristol (Total published reviews: 1) on 13th September, 2014
Rated 2 out of 5. after a stay here in 1/2014